Photos by David Hindmon
Welcome to Nature's Voice, a column intended as inspirational entertainment. I'm Michele Oksen.
My home, since 1983, is a remote cabin in the Santa Lucia Mountains between Cambria and Paso Robles, California. I overlook Lake Nacimiento from this land that my grandfather traded a horse and some tires for in the early 1930's.
Well off the grid, I have a small solar system and generator for power. Gravity flow water comes from a generous neighbor's spring in the winter and spring. In the summer and fall I use a large generator to pump well water. Heat comes from firewood I cut, split, and burn in the woodstove. Propane is used to fuel the refrigerator and range.
Although I have a secure aviary for my laying hens they prefer the woodlands during the day. Bobcats, coyotes, and hawks sometimes make a meal of "my girls." I hate it when that happens, but you've never seen a happier chicken than one that gets to roam the range freely—that's why I rarely leave them locked up when the sun is shining.
When my dogs aren't asleep at my feet they will run off predators including mountain lions. Black bear lumber through my yard once in awhile. That's when the dogs bark from under the house while I bang pots and pans together and yell, "You get out of here now!" Thankfully that's worked out well so far.
My sincere hope is that each month you will join me for an online nature walk somewhere in these magnificent Pacific coastlands. Each time we step into the great outdoors I will encourage you to hear whatever messages nature has for you.
Come along. Give a listen sometime. Nature's Voice is always calling. |
Bay Laurel - Temptations
by Michele Oksen
They are the woodlands enchantresses. They seduce the mind. They beckon the will. They are special trees, better known as Bay Laurels.
Not only do Bay Laurels' beauty and aroma arouse the senses, their hearts inspire craftsmanship worldwide. No doubt about it, Bay Laurels can charm passersby, especially this time of year. It's their fragrant foliage and their abundant flowers that lure us into their canopies and under their spells. When we wander through the woods, a blooming Bay Laurel's scent is so mesmeric we might stop in our tracks until we sniff out the source. Once we do—beware.
As with so many of life's pleasures, if we experience them in excess they can become excruciatingly painful. Like Bay Laurel leaves. Some of us get instant headaches when we breathe in too much. If in an effort to inhale euphoria we succumb to the seduction of Bay Laurels enticing scent, experience says, it will cause throbbing results. Ah yes, the price of overindulgence.
To overindulge in things we find hard to resist usually means we suffer consequences. If we eat too much of our favorite food we have to discretely unzip our pants at the table or buy bigger clothes. If we drink too much alcohol we get a hangover and might have to apologize for something. Too much gossip? Not good. Too much sun? Ouch. Too much fun? Don't most of us know by now that trouble usually starts out like fun?
If you are like me, you sometimes dismiss your better judgment and choose to indulge in something that you already know is a potentially harmful temptation you may, like me, get carried away. A big challenge for me is fresh bakery goods. I can gingerly walk by and breathe in the delicious smell of hot bread fresh out of the oven and there's no problem. If, on impulse, I dare to enter the bakery, it's already too late. I might as well get two loaves because one will likely be eaten on the way home. No need for butter. Just tearing off a chunk straight out of the bag will do.
Unless we know our limitations and are good at self-control we may want to enjoy something's—or someone's— pleasant properties from a distance. Like the Bay Laurel's captivating bouquet I now know I must only enjoy at arm's length. That way there are no regrets.
The thing about knowing what tempts us and knowing our limitations is that we probably already learned the hard way. So why go there again? Well, maybe because the temptation is so great and the consequences are not instantaneous. Should I avoid bakeries at all costs? Probably. Will I? Doubtful. Self-discipline and self-mastery in that area are not priorities at this time. That may change the next time I shop for jeans.
Will I ever be tempted to take a handful of Bay Laurel leaves and flowers, hold them to my nose, and inhale deeply again? As enchanting as these trees are . . . not a chance.
Banner Image by Fugle |
